BODY-SIZE, ESTROGEN USE AND THIAZIDE DIURETIC USE AFFECT 5-YEAR RADIAL BONE LOSS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Understanding factors associated with more rapid bone mineral loss amo ng aging women is important for establishing preventive strategies for intervention. This study reports factors associated with the 5-year c hange in radial bone mineral density (BMD) determined prospectively in 435 women aged 55-80 years at baseline. The baseline study included m easurement of radial BMD (gm/cm(2)) by single photon densitometry and personal interview. The baseline protocol was replicated 5 years later in a follow-up study. Women with a lower baseline weight or Quetelet index, smaller triceps skinfold and less arm muscle area had significa ntly greater 5-year bone loss (p = 0.001). Current users of estrogens had less radial bone loss (2.8% vs 7.3%, p = 0.0005) than women not cu rrently using estrogens. Current users of estrogen had significantly l ess 5-year loss if use had been for 5 years or longer (-1.0% vs -6.9%, p = 0.05). Current users of the thiazide class of medications had les s 5-year radial bone loss (5.0% vs 7.4%, p = 0.0035) than women withou t current thiazide use. Baseline dietary calcium, alcohol consumption and smoking were not associated with BMD change. This suggests that gr eater body size, and current use of estrogens or thiazide antihyperten sives are associated with less radial bone mass loss in a 5-year perio d among postmenopausal women.